With the Canadiens season over, the teams focus now shifts to the offseason. For General Manager Kent Hughes, the offseason is poised to be pivotal in the Canadiens future. The team has several players who are in need of new deals. This includes four young players who are set to become restricted free agents as of July 1st. Let’s take a look at what we can expect in terms of contracts for these players and what their future holds with the Montreal Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens RFAs
Emil Heineman
Emil Heineman was a surprise addition to Montreal’s roster this past season. Heineman’s mix of size, speed, and a heavy shot impressed the Canadiens brass in training camp. The 23-year-old spent two seasons in Laval before becoming a full-time NHL player this past season. Montreal acquired him in a deal that sent Tyler Toffoli to Calgary. Heineman managed ten goals and 18 points in 62 games for Montreal in the 2024-25 season. He was the victim of a car accident earlier in the year, which kept him out for 20 games. He played mainly on the Canadiens fourth line alongside veterans Jake Evans and Joel Armia this season. The trio was quickly becoming one of the best fourth lines in hockey, but couldn’t regain that same rhythm after Heineman’s return from injury.
Heineman likely won’t command much on a new deal. The youngster still has a lot to prove at the NHL level and will be fighting with several other young forwards for a roster spot next season. If Heineman can return to his pre-injury form, he will be a valuable member of the team’s bottom-six moving forward. Until then, a three-year deal around two million annually seems appropriate for Emil Heineman.
Jayden Struble
Jayden Struble spent large parts of this season on the sidelines as a healthy scratch. He is in his second season with the Canadiens and has appeared in 56 contests in each of his two years. Although not known for his offense, Struble set a new career high this season with 13 points. He brings some size and grit to a Canadiens blueline that is in desperate need of it. With the retirement of David Savard, Struble will have an opportunity for a larger role next season. However, he will need to cement his place in training camp with former first-round picks, David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux also looking to crack the roster.
Similarly to Heineman, Struble won’t command much in his first deal with the Canadiens. He is currently a bottom-pairing defenseman at best. However, he is only 23 and has time to carve out a bigger role in the future, potentially. A two-year deal at approximately two million is a realistic price for Struble.
Jakub Dobes
Jakub Dobes made his NHL debut this season at 23 years old. He began his career with a five game winning streak and was a big reason the Canadiens were able to turn around their season and make the playoffs. Dobes also was also able to get some playoff action after Samuel Montembeault went down with injury. He will be looking to build upon a solid rookie year next season and will likely continue to serve as the backup goaltender. However, he has starting goalie potential for Montreal. A deal similar to Heineman and Struble is likely for Dobes.
Cayden Primeau
The most intriguing RFA for the Canadiens is goaltender Cayden Primeau. He had a disastrous start to his 2024-25 campaign with Montreal and was sent down to the AHL in favor of Jakub Dobes as a result. Primeau thrived in the AHL posting a 21-2-2 record. However, top prospect Jacob Fowler has taken over the crease down the stretch for Laval in their playoff run. Primeau has never been able to find his game at the NHL level and at 25 years old, it seems like he has lost his starting job in the AHL as well. The Canadiens management likely wants Fowler to get as many starts as possible next season and prepare him for his eventual NHL debut.
It’s unclear whether Primeau will get another contract with Montreal. He has been surpassed by younger goalies in Dobes and Fowler and doesn’t seem to have a future in Montreal. The only way Primeau returns would likely be on a one year deal to serve as Fowler’s backup in Laval and to be a potential NHL call up option in case of injuries.
Main Photo: Dan Hamilton- Imagn Images
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